The atmosphere (in the Music School in general and the Horn Studio in particular) is friendly and the students are very supportive of each other.
Note: as we wait for a brand new School of Music to be built, we are very comfortably settled in excellent new studios in the Old Cap Mall in downtown Iowa City. The instrumental studios are roomy, completely acoustically isolated, and have a built-in digital recorder + playback, plus adjustable reverb (from dry practice room to something on the order of the Astrodome). The new studios (and recital hall, classrooms, breakroom, and chamber music rooms) are frankly a step up from the old building; we will all be completely content here until the new state-of-the-art building comes along in a couple years.
Facilities
The School offers an extensive list of facilities, including many rehearsal halls and ensemble rooms, professional recording studios, technology center, ear training and listening facilities, electronic music laboratories, and the Rita Benton Music Library offers a wealth of scores, books, journals, recordings, CDs, LPs, DVDs and videotapes.
Performance Opportunities
It’s a very active place – there is a wide range of performing experiences available. The performing ensembles are first rate, including jazz bands, Symphony Band, Concert Band, University Band, Hawkeye Marching Band, the UI Symphony Orchestra, UI Chamber Orchestra, and Philharmonia. There are also the Electronic Music Studios and the Center for New Music. In any case, you will never lack for playing opportunities.
It's easy to join or start a chamber music ensemble such as brass choir and brass and woodwind quintet. If you know players already, you can form your own group and be coached by a faculty member. If you are new to the school, you simply have to apply, and you will be placed in a group (e.g. brass or woodwind quintet) of players of similar experience and level. In spring semester the horn studio gives a horn choir concert.
The calendar of events of symphonic music (current repertoire; recent repertoire) opera, musicals, chamber music, and recitals throughout the year is very full and highly varied. The Iowa City listener has a huge selection of performances of every genre from which to choose.
Honors
Exceptional music majors who are members of the UI Honors Program and maintain a GPA of at least 3.8 may undertake work leading to a bachelor's degree with honors. Graduation with honors is awarded after completion of 6-8 s.h. of honors work. Honors students are encouraged to take graduate-level courses, especially in music history, music theory, and languages.
Click here for general contact information for the School of Music.
Home page of the Division of Performing Arts
ArtsIowa Events Calendar
Here are directions to the School of Music.
The University of Iowa Home Page
